Help me. I'm moving to Florida. My poor barrels!

Howdy! Californian here moving to Florida for work.

My two muzzloaders need your help! They tend to rust if I don't oil them regularly here in California, and I'm seriously afraid for them in the Florida humidity!

Can anyone recommend a good gun locker that'll fit a LGP rifle and a Traditions Deerhunter that I can better keep a dehumidified environment in?

I hate to include this caveat, given the size of the locker I've just asked for a recommendation on, but preferably one that can fit in a newlyweds coffin sized apartment?

Any advice or recommendations is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

EDIT: Was considering this one and a desiccant of some kind inside.

https://www.amazon.com/【2024NEW】7-8...1e1-46b5-851a-db4cbc16f1a5&pd_rd_i=B0CN95T3QG

Get a Golden Rod and be happy,

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1138359695?pid=453246

I live in North Florida and build, shoot and compete with both flintlock and percussion rifles on a daily basis. There are a lot of oils that probably will work fine, but I only use 3 in 1 oil which can be purchased about anywhere. I have never had even a hint of a rust problem.

Lived many years in SE FL, Birchwood Casey Barricade will keep your guns in top condition.

The problem I had with FL is there were very few matches I could attend.

I live in North Florida, maybe 50 miles from @BruceHH . It is humid here, but as stated the best way to prevent rust is to simply apply a good surface protectant. Bruce recommended 3-in-1 oil, Uncle Miltie said BC Barricade, and I use LSA. They all work. The secret is to use an oil that won’t evaporate.

In addition, I cut 8”-9” squares of chamois skin (available from any car parts dealer) and impregnate it with the oil of choice. It need not be dripping, just greasy to the touch. I store these in small, wide-mouthed jars that are scattered around the place… shop, garage, by the gun cabinet…. After handling a gun, I pull out the chamois and wipe off the fingerprints and anywhere else that needs it. When needed, add a few drops of oil to the chamois. This was a practice I learned from my dad many years ago and it still works. The chamois is very durable and lasts for years, and leaves no lint.

Yes, the oils mentioned are petroleum products. You just wipe your bore as you would do anyway and go shoot. No problem. I use plant or animal based patch and bullet lubes, but there are no issues with the use of petroleum products for mechanical lubrication or surface protection.

I just checked the “weather app” on this device and the humidity here right now is 97%. You can expect the wood grips on your revolvers to swell. Welcome to Florida!

Notchy Bob

R.I.G.

For long term storage in my opinion there is nothing better, been around for years and works.

Don’t worry so much.

I used to swear by Barricade but after a couple of months of constant rain I had a little surface rust in my barrels. My gun safe is out in the garage so it sees the humidity fluctuation of the outside. I only had a small humidity rod in my safe at the time. I bought a huge Golden Rod to add to the safe along with the existing rod and changed my storage lube to either Rig or 30W motor oil, no more rust.

When I lived for a year in the tropics I kept my guns in a wardrobe with a light bulb lit 24-7. Doesn't relieve from regular maintenance but did make a difference.

i live in the lowcountry of SC, born here 66 years ago. we have 100% humidity and 100 degrees in the summer, and every bit as bad as Florida. rem-oil in the bore and on the gun is all you need,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

I live in Valdosta in south Georgia on the edge of a swamp. It can't get much more humid. As long as you keep the guns in an air conditioned space (in your home) and keep a reasonable amount of oil on the surfaces you should not have a problem. I keep my muzzle loaders in a display case and the ones that I don't shoot very often are re-oiled every 6 months. Bill

Inherited a bunch of rifles and guns, and I consulted with a gunsmith friend of mine. He swears by renwax. I put renwax on a patch and ran it down every one of the barrels, and each and every one of them is still good with no maintenance whatsoever.

Uncle Miltie said:

Lived many years in SE FL, Birchwood Casey Barricade will keep your guns in top condition.

The problem I had with FL is there were very few matches I could attend.

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X2

I use barricade down the bore, and ballistol on the external. I keep a small pump spray bottle of isopropyl alcohol on the bench, when I take a gun out of the safe for a hunt or range trip, a couple sprays on a patch and run it down the barrel, followed by a dry patch, GTG.

N Fla here too

Only rust issues for me (modern or muzzle loader) have involved getting rained on or really heavy dew while hunting followed by a bit of laziness/"do it later"-itis

I live on the east coast of FL. Been here 8 years. I've never experienced rust on any of my guns and have not experienced any rust, and I don't clean or oil any differently that when I lived in the mountains of VA. There has been so much discussion about the brand and kind of oil to use. Interesting, but a bit silly. I've never seen that it matters; sort of like which patch lube we favor. Regarding anti-rust oil, use what you have. I oil with regular gun oil on all firearms.

I live in Arizona............what are you guys talking about.....rust?

Bill Bryan said:

I live in Valdosta in south Georgia on the edge of a swamp. It can't get much more humid. As long as you keep the guns in an air conditioned space (in your home) and keep a reasonable amount of oil on the surfaces you should not have a problem. I keep my muzzle loaders in a display case and the ones that I don't shoot very often are re-oiled every 6 months. Bill

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Agree, MD is very humid (live by the Bay). After cleaning, i coat liberally with Break Free CLP and leave on dresser in air conditioned room. No rust.
Also, unless you must keep in a safe, leaving out where air circulates prohibits rust far better than being locked up in a small, no fresh air environment.

BruceHH said:

I live in North Florida and build, shoot and compete with both flintlock and percussion rifles on a daily basis. There are a lot of oils that probably will work fine, but I only use 3 in 1 oil which can be purchased about anywhere. I have never had even a hint of a rust problem.

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I used to use the old G.I. gun oil, but a friend who retired from special forces got me using three in one oil and I have used it now for over 25 years and find it the best That I have ever used.

I live near Mike in Florida east coast near daytona beach. We keep the house at average of 74.5 degrees and with air conditioning and good sealed windows, we've hovered around 50 percent humidity in all weather in all seasons. I check every 3 - 6 months and revolvers, long arms do very well with any of those items mentioned above.